The cargo bay of Space Shuttle Columbia on mission STS-52 (22 October-1 November 1992). One of the main goals of this mission was the deployment of th

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The cargo bay of Space Shuttle Columbia on mission STS-52 (22 October-1 November 1992). One of the main goals of this mission was the deployment of the Laser Geodynamics Satellite-2 (LAGEOS-2) which was stored in the cargo bay. LAGEOS-2 has a spherical shape and consists of 426 reflecting surfaces about in diameter. They will reflect laser beams sent towards the satellite from ground stations, in order to measure movements of the Earth's surface. In the background the United States Microgravity Payload- 1 (USMP-1) is visible. Large thunderstorms clouds are visible at top right. They are situated above the Kalahari desert in Botswana, Africa.

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Size: 3488px × 2801px
Photo credit: © NASA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: bay, cargo, columbia, experim, flight, manned, shuttle, space, spaceflight, sts-52, usmp-1